VALDOSTA —  The Valdosta Lowndes Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc (NCNW) along with the Maceo Horne Learning Center hosted its first. S.E.L.F.I.E. Conference for females 16-25 years old on Saturday, March 7th. S.E.L.F.I.E. is an acronym that stands for Success, Education, Leadership, Finance, Innovation Empowerment. The purpose of the conference was to equip the young ladies with tools for mobility and to encourage them to begin thinking early about furthering their education, career and managing their finances. The Entrepreneurial Committee of NCNW which is led by Attorney Karla Walker and Co-Chaired by Mrs. Vivian Cody developed the conference as a way to provide resources for young ladies who may also need more information on how to pursue their GED degree as well as empowering them to work towards their goals despite life’s road blocks. High school and college ladies from various churches, schools and organizations such as the Valdosta State University Section of NCNW and Delta Gems were in attendance in great numbers.

Workshops were led by various leaders in the community including Valdosta Mayor Pro-tem, Alvin Payton, Anya Burns, Charmaine Thomas, Helen Jackson, Realtor and 2014 Valdosta Woman of the Year, Victoria Copeland, Iris Brown and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College representatives, Brooke Jamillo and Betty Smith. Special recognition was given by the Section President, Sharah Denton to the Entrepreneurial Committee for spearheading and developing the event, and the sponsors Maceo Horne Learning Center and Staff, Southwest Georgia Bank, V-96.7, Caribbean Delight, Trina Braxton Hair Collection and to the lunch sponsors, Two Wheel Riders and V-Town Chicks Motorcycle Club.
*Pictured The Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc, Valdosta State University NCNW, Delta Gems and some of the participants and volunteers.

Sharah N. Denton, M.S.